Aug 25, 2007
Governor signs bill expanding film industry in the state
|
by MAGGIE CALDWELL
Putnam Park in neighboring Redding was abuzz with politicians, press, and movie stars last Thursday morning when Gov. M. Jodi Rell came to town to sign an act expanding Connecticut’s film industry.
The act requires the Office of Workforce Competitiveness (OWC) to establish a film industry workforce training program in Connecticut. It works in conjunction with the tax incentive program that benefits production companies that choose to film in the state, an act signed last year.
“Connecticut already has one of the best programs in the country to draw movie production to our state. This new law will help make us an even more attractive place for filmmakers,” Ms. Rell said during the ceremonial bill signing. “This new law promotes my three favorite things: Jobs, jobs and jobs. It establishes new, transferable credits against the corporation and insurance premium taxes for investments in film and digital media infrastructure projects and digital animation productions. It also directs our Office of Workforce Competitiveness to establish a training program to supply employees for our state’s burgeoning film industry.”
Putnam Park was chosen as the site for signing the legislation because it was being used last week as a location for scenes in Old Dogs, a Disney film starring John Travolta and Robin Williams.
“Old Dogs is spending over $45,000 a week during production alone, which is comparable to the other 10 films currently filming in the state,” Ms. Rell said. “Since the first film tax credits bill last year, over $450 million has been spent in our state for everything from crews, extras and set decorations to hotels, car rentals and food. By way of comparison, in the six months preceding the credits, less than $1 million was spent on filmmaking in Connecticut. This law sends an important message: Our state loves movies. And we want to see them set in beautiful Connecticut.”
Local legislators
Ms. Rell was joined by a number of local legislators who spoke out in support of the new act.
“This bill, as a companion to last year’s film industry tax credit, is an important investment piece permitting Connecticut to develop a permanent infrastructure, including sound stages, post-production facilities and a work force with the right skills,” said State Representative John Stripp, a Republican who represents Weston and parts of Redding and Easton.
State Senator Judith Freedman, a Republican whose district includes Weston, could not attend the bill signing but shared other officials’ excitement.
“I think it’s going to be very helpful to promote the film trade in the state of Connecticut. If we could do for other businesses what were doing for the film industry, by giving tax credits and changing tax policy, we could encourage more businesses to come into the state,” she said.
The legislation passed the State Senate by a 36-0 vote and the House by a 146-2 vote.
Mr. Travolta attended the ceremony on Aug. 16 offering Hollywood’s approval of the new bill.
“Each state allows certain opportunities to do movies. This year, Connecticut is winning as the most ideal state to film in,” he said.
In Weston earlier this summer, Tobacco Road and Weston High School were turned into movie sets, as a crew arrived to shoot scenes for the film Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II, about the coming of age of a group of young women.
The film stars America Ferrera of TV’s Ugly Betty, Alexis Beidel (Rory of The Gilmore Girls), and Amber Tamblyn and Blake Lively as the “sisters.” It is based on the second in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series of books by Ann Brashares.
The film also stars Kyle MacLachlan of Twin Peaks and Desperate Housewives fame, and is directed by Sanaa Hamri.
Ms. Bleidel and Ms. Tamblyn were in Weston filming scenes that will represent a party at a home and an Athens airport.
Sisterhood also shot at other locations throughout Connecticut and Greece, and is expected to be released in spring 2008.
In Old Dogs, Mr. Travolta and Mr. Williams play old friends and “business partners who find their lives turned upside down when strange circumstances lead to them being placed in the care of seven-year-old twins,” according to the entertainment Web site IMDB.com.
One of the twins is being played by Mr. Travolta’s daughter, Ella Bleu. Actors Seth Green and Matthew Dillon also are slated to appear in the film, as is Kelly Preston, Mr. Travolta’s wife.
Shooting for Old Dogs began in mid-July in New York City. Since then, additional scenes have been shot in a number of places around Fairfield County.
When asked about filming in Redding, Mr. Travolta said Putnam Park is the “perfect location” for the scene which is “pivotal in the movie.”
“There is no better spot for this particular scene,” he said last Thursday. “The shoot is going wonderfully. The town’s people have been treating us well.”
Old Dogs is slated to open in summer 2008.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
|
